Convertible envelope



March 5, 1968 m 3,371,850

CONVERTIBLE ENVELOPE Filed March 7, 1967 INVENTOR. JOSEPH GO RMAN UnitedStates Patent 3,371,850 CONVERTIBLE ENVELOPE Joseph German, 2514 W.Berwyn Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60625 Filed Mar. 7, 1967, Ser. No. 621,268 1Claim. (Cl. 229-68) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A letter or businesspaper envelope including a perforated tab integral with the sealableflap of the envelope. When separated from the flap, the tab may be usedas a file indicator with the flap tucked in the envelope pocket. Whenthe tab is inserted in the envelope pocket, the flap may be secured tothe back of the envelope for mailmg.

Background Attempts have been made to enhance the utility ofconventional file folders by providing a flap portion which is foldedover the file folder to enclose it. A suggestion has been made to formtabs or fingers in the flap portion and corresponding slots in the foldbetween the flap and the body of the folder. When it is desired to forman index tab, at finger is bent beneath the flap and slipped through itsassociated slot to protrude above the file folder in forming a flag.

So far as I am aware, there have been no prior attempts to provide aletter or business paper envelope which may be readily converted betweena file container with attached index indicator and a conventionalmailing envelope without substantially altering the basic manufacturingtechniques employed in producing conventional envelopes. Previousattempts to provide an indexable pocket envelope which requiresstructural additions to the conventional letter envelope have not metwith consumer acceptance.

Summary The present invention provides an index tab as an integral partof the scalable flap of a conventional letter or business envelope whichmay readily be separated from the flap. The fold line between theenvelope and its flap defines the hinged or swinging side of the tab.Hence, when the tab is separated from the flap, it may be rotated aboutthe flap fold line to protrude above the upper periphery of the envelopeto define an index indicator. When thus used, the flap of the envelopeis tucked into the envelope pocket and there is thus provided a filingpocket with associated index tab.

If it is later desired to mail the envelope along with its contents, theflap is removed from the envelope pocket and the index tab is insertedinto the pocket. The back of the envelope will then hold the index tabin place when the flap is sealed to the back.

Other advantages and features of the instant invention will be obviousfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentaccompanied by the attached drawing.

The drawing FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 shows the envelope of FIG. 1 with the index tab separated fromthe envelope flap FIG. 3 shows the envelope of FIG. 1 with the index tabseparated from the flap and the flap tucked into the envelope pocket;

FIG. 4 illustrates the envelope of FIG. 1 with the index tab separatedfrom the flap but tucked in the envelope pocket preparatory to sealingthe envelope; and

3,371,850 Patented Mar. 5, 1968 Referring now to the drawing, in FIG. 1is seen a view of the back of a conventional business or letter paperenvelope, generally designated as 10. As is shown, the back of theenvelope includes a left side flap 11 and a right side flap 12 foldedtoward one another. The base of the back side 13 has a form which isgenerally that of a truncated triangle. The side flaps 11 and 12 areconventionally glued to the member 13 during the manufacturing process.

Hence, the front of the envelope together with the fabricated back partcomprising the flaps 11, 12 and the base member 13 define an envelopepocket into which letters and the like may be inserted. The envelopepocket is generally indicated as 14 in FIG. 4.

At the top of the envelope there is provided a sealing flap 15 which isan extension of the front surface of the envelope bent rearward. Theflap 15 is hinged about a fold line 16 at the very upper periphery ofthe envelope 10 and extends lengthwise thereof from side to side.

A perforation is formed in the flap 15 comprising two side sectionsindicated by the dashed lines labeled 17 and 18. The side perforationsextend parallel to the side folds of the envelope 10 from the upper foldline 16 to a point intermediate the width of the flap. The two sideperforations 17 and 18 are joined by an end perforation 19 which issubstantially parallel to the fold line 16.

The perforation lines 17, 18 and 19 define a tab 20 which, whenseparated from the flap 15 as indicated in FIG. 2, may be independentlyhinged about the fold line 16.

As seen in FIG. 4, the inner side of the flap 15 is provided with aglued portion 21 for sealing to the back of the envelope.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the tab portion 20 is separated fr'om the flap15 along the perforation lines 17, 18 and 19, it may be rotated aboutthe fold line 16 into an upright position, and the envelope may beprovided with printed indicia or the tab itself may serve to receivehand written indexing information.

In its preferred use, the pocket of the envelope 10 will itself serve asthe file folder or container; and in this situation, the flap 15 will betucked into the envelope pocket as seen in FIG. 3. Hence, there isprovided a convenient receptacle for filing and storing bills, invoices,etc., which may be indexed, for example, according to the date on whichthey fall due.

When it is desired to then mail the contents of the envelope 10, the tab20 is tucked into the envelope pocket as seen in FIG. 4 by the chainline. The gusset 12 will then hold the tab 20 within the envelope pocketas the flap 15 is sealed to the back of the envelope as seen in FIG. 5.

It is particularly important to note that my invention contemplatesproviding this useful convertible envelope without requiring additionalsteps in the manufacturing process. The simple perforations can beformed conveniently at any time during the manufacturing process withoutmajor change in production machinery. For instance, the perforations maybe formed when the envelopes are being cut from the paper web.

Thus has been described a convenient and simple convertible paperenvelope with an index tab provided as an integral portion of thesealable flap of the envelope. The envelop may serve as an index filecontainer, and then be readily converted to a conventional mailingenvelope.

Having thus described in detail a preferred embodiment of my invention,it will be obvious that the size or shape of the tab may be varied tosuit the purpose of the user, and that one or more tabs may be definedin the flap. Further, the tab or tabs may assume any arbitrary positionalong the flap as long as the unperforated hinging side of the flap isintegral with the flap fold line. It is intended that all suchmodifications be covered as they are embraced Within the spirit andscope of the appended claim.

I claim:

1. A sealable paper envelope comprising front and back sides defining apocket, a flap integral with said front side and folded over said backside for sealing said pocket, an index tab integral With said flap, saidtab being defined by perforations around three sides and the fourth sidelying along said fold line, said tab being separatable from said flap tobend about said fold line, whereby when said tab is separated from saidflap, said flap may be tucked into said pocket, said tab may serve as anindexing means, and said envelope may be used for mailing by insertingsaid tab into said pocket and sealing said flap to said back.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 783,365 2/1905 Coleman 12916.71,303,063 5/1919 Hoock -229-73 2,013,664 9/1935 Marowitz 1291 6.73,334,922 8/1967 Zalkind 22976 X DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Examiner.

